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About this quote

What does it mean?
The king, just and prudent, wants only what he can have.
In plain terms
A wise ruler seeks realistic goals.
What can you take from it?
Set ambitions within your capacity.

Where it applies

  • governance
  • project planning
  • personal goals

Putting it to work

  • resource assessment
  • strategic restraint

Questions to consider

  • When does prudence become stagnation?
  • How to balance ambition with capability?

Another view

Over‑cautiousness may limit progress.

More from Pierre Corneille

  1. Faites que l'on vous craigne, et je ne craindrai rien.

    Permalink to quote #58
  2. Et ne savez-vous plus qu'il n'est princes ni rois Qu'elle daigne egaler a ses moindres bourgeois?

    Permalink to quote #60
  3. Je me defendrai mal: l'innocence etonnee Ne peut s'imaginer qu'elle soit soupconnee.

    Permalink to quote #57

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